Stephen Strasburg is set for an MRI on his shoulder after leaving his start on Friday after just 34 pitches.
Strasburg lasted just two innings in the game between the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants. He struggled during the second inning, surrendering four hits and allowing two runs. Upon returning to the dugout after the inning, Strasburg returned to the clubhouse with a member of the training staff.
After the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez indicated Strasburg has some inflammation in his shoulder and will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Strasburg’s shoulder “tightened up,” per Martinez. Has “a little bit of inflammation,” will get MRI tomorrow.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 9, 2018
According to Washington Post reporter Chelsea Janes, Strasburg did not sound optimistic after the game, but didn’t want to jump to conclusions until after the results of the MRI are known.
Strasburg didn’t seem particularly optimistic. Said he’d been dealing with it for a few starts, but it really “acted up” on him today. Didn’t want to draw conclusions until he gets an MRI.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) June 9, 2018
Janes also said she has felt for a while that Strasburg hasn’t looked right.
This is not an "I-told-you-so," but rather context: I was paranoid he was hurt as early as last month in Arizona. Just hasn't looked right. Maybe this is a new thing. But he hasn't been himself in awhile.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) June 8, 2018
Strasburg went into Friday’s outing with a 3.20 ERA in 78.2 innings with 93 strikeouts. He left his start last Friday with a cramp in his left (non-throwing) forearm.
